TICR unveils second phase on target

Dundee Lord Provost John Letford has officially opened the second completed phase of the University's Institute for Cardiovascular Research (TICR).

The £2m second phase of the three-stage project includes a new suite of office facilities and a test kitchen to take forward practical nutritional initiatives.

With the state of Scotland's diet being acknowledged as a major factor in our poor health record, Professor Annie Anderson of the Centre for Public Health Nutrition Research will use the new facility for the preparation and testing of foods for research studies. Her work will include projects such as the modification of fat content and type, intervention studies where individuals are given practical advice on healthy eating and particular therapeutic diets to help in the battle against heart disease.

Professor Hugh Tunstall-Pedoe of the Department of Cardiovascular Epidemiology and his team of researchers will also be working from the new research area. They will continue their research dedicated to slowing, stopping and reversing heart disease. Professor Tunstall-Pedoe was responsible for the Scottish Heart Health Study, and played a lead role in the Scottish MONICA project (MONItoring CArdiovascular disease) and the World Health Organisation MONICA Project.

Hugh recently ran his third London marathon, completing it in an impressive time of 4 hours and 47 minutes. He said, "I did the marathon to raise publicity for TICR and the British Heart Foundation as much as to raise money for the campaigns. It also impressed the representatives of the Trusts who were attending the opening of the new TICR offices in Ninewells so it might have a longer-term impact!"

Robert McLaren, Chairman of TICR commented, "We would like to thank all of those who have donated to the TICR campaign. Without the help of the public in their ongoing fundraising efforts we could not have raised the profile of the campaign to encourage further donations from across the UK. We look forward to the third and final phase."

Work on the second phase was completed on schedule after starting in October last year. The TICR fundraising committee is on target to reach its £3.5m objective and fundraising efforts are now concentrated on the third and final phase, which will see the renovation of existing vascular laboratories and new equipment brought into TICR.

The TICR Black Tie Ball will be held at the Apex Hotel on 9 October. This year the theme is 'Carnaval de Cuba' and tickets are on sale now from the events office. Contact events@dundee.ac.uk for tickets and further details.